Hinckley, MN Real Estate

Located 82 miles north of the Twin Cities up Interstate Highway 35W and along the Grindstone River, Hinckley is an area rich in history and heartbreak. Hinckley's name in Ojibwe is "Gaa-zhiigwanaabikokaag," and means "the place abundant with grindstones." Portions of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation are located within and adjacent to Hinckley. The Ojibwe Indians were the first in the area; they trapped and hunted on the land and traded furs at the Mille Lacs and Pokegama trading posts.

When European settlers arrived, the area was heavily forested with thick stands of white pine, some of the largest in the state. The first railroad arrived in Hinckley in 1869 and brought with it the expansion of the logging industry. The town was known as "Central Station" by the railroads because of its position halfway between the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior and the Twin Cities. It was renamed in 1870 after Isaac Hinckley, president of the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad.

The town was officially incorporated in 1885. By 1894, Hinckley was a prosperous community containing everything needed to serve residents and the ever-expanding lumber industry. On September 1, 1894, everything changed when a fire wiped out Hinckley and many northeastern Minnesota towns. Over 400 residents were killed. Today the Hinckley Fire Museum tells the devastating story of what came to be called the "Great Hinckley Fire."

After the fire, the burned stumps of the one majestic pine forests were cleared to take advantage of the now nutrient-rich soil. Hinckley's recovery would depend on agriculture, mainly potatoes, fruits, vegetables and dairy farming. After the decline of its agricultural industry, Hinckley turned to its natural resources and devastating history as a way to attract tourism to the area and today is a weekend getaway for many city-dwellers or a traditional stop on the way to weekend cabin excursions.

Outdoor recreation is abundant here and includes many miles of trails for ATV and off-roading. The nation's longest paved trail, Willard Munger Trail, starts in Hinckley and is ideal for biking or inline skating. Other activities include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and cross country skiing, much of which is done in nearby St. Croix State Park and Banning State Park.

Local Flavor: Lots of bar and grill types of places, but try Tobies Restaurant and Bakery for their world-famous caramel rolls or the Winds Steakhouse located inside Grand Casino, boasting an extensive wine list and a casual atmosphere.

Area Shopping: Antiques America Mall--over 9,000 square feet and 70 dealers display their wares under one roof; also see Grindstone Greenhouse and Gifts. Additional big box retailers are located south, in Pine City.

Around Town: Grand Casino for live gaming and entertainment; the Hinckley Fire Museum, located in an exact replica of a train depot that was destroyed in the fire or the North West Company Fur Post, a living history museum. There are several area golf courses including the Sandstone Area Country Club and Grand National Golf Club.

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• Hinckley, MN

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